Women&#39;s Garment

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a women&#39;s garment comprising a constructed bust part having two cups, and two shoulder straps attached to the cups. The cups are formed from at least two foam layers joined together via thermoforming. The two cups have a thickening at the lower edge thereof, which is formed during the thermoforming of the foam layers and runs along the breast. A stabilization element is arranged between the foam layers, having a section starting from the shoulder straps at an outer edge of the cups and extending down to the lower edge of the cups, and a section starting from the shoulder straps and extending along a part of an upper edge of the cups. A part of the upper edge of the cups and a central region of the cups are free from the stabilization element.

The invention relates to a women's garment comprising a constructed bustpart having two cups, of the kind defined in more detail in the preambleof claim 1. The invention further relates to a method for producing awomen's garment of this kind.

A women's garment of the type in question in the form of a bra is knownfrom DE 10 2007 040 627 A1.

To achieve a good fit of the bra and better support for the breasts, thecups are often provided at their lower edge with shaping inserts, whichare additionally intended to confer a defined shape on the breasts.However, these shaping inserts are sometimes felt uncomfortable by thewearer, and they also exert a certain pressure on the lymph, system,which may not only lead to pressure sores but also, according to variousmedical studies, increases the risk of disease of the breasts. DE 102009 015 043 A1 describes a bra of this kind with shaping inserts.

For this reason, attempts have been made in recent times to produce suchcups without shaping inserts. In this connection, reference is made toDE 20 2010 012 320 U1, for example.

However, the disadvantage of these known bras is that they provide lesseffective support of the breasts, which leads to reduced acceptance onthe part of the wearer.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to make available awomen's garment comprising a constructed bust part which does notrequire a shaping insert at the lower edge of the cups but whichnonetheless provides sufficient support for the breasts accommodated inthe cups.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features setout in claim 1.

By virtue of the thickening or reinforcement at the lower edge of thecups, which thickening or reinforcement is produced during thethermoforming of the foam layers without use of a shaped insert andextends along the breasts, a certain shaping of the cup and therefore ofthe breast accommodated therein is achieved. However, by virtue of thisthickening, it is advantageously possible to do without a shaping insertsince a shaping effect is already achieved by the thickening orreinforcement extending along the lower edge of the cups and thusextending in the lower breast region. With a shaping insert beingomitted, no health-related limitations are expected with respect to thewearer.

The sufficient support of the breast inside the cup and the desiredshaping of the breast are ensured according to the present invention bythe stabilization element arranged between the foam layers, by thesection thereof starting from the shoulder straps at an outer edge ofthe cups and extending down to the lower edge of the cups, and by thesection starting from the shoulder straps and extending along a part ofan upper edge of the cups, ensuring that force is introduced andtransmitted via the shoulder straps over the center of the breast to thelower edge of the breast and thus to the above-described thickening.This results in an interaction of the stabilization element and of thethickening, which ensures improved shaping of the breast accommodated inthe cup. Thus, by virtue of the solution according to the invention, thephysical effect of a shaping insert is achieved without such a shapinginsert having to be used, as a result of which the person wearing thewomen's garment according to the invention has the same assurance aswhen wearing garments with conventional cups.

By omission of the stabilization element in the central region of thecup, excessive stiffness of the cup is avoided, and this feels verycomfortable for the wearer.

In a very advantageous development of the invention, provision can bemade that the stabilization element has a shape like an invertedypsilon. An inverted ypsilon-like shape of this kind is a very goodillustration of the abovementioned configuration of the stabilizationelement with the two sections extending away from the shoulder straps.

Furthermore, provision can be made that the section of the stabilizationelement starting from the shoulder straps and extending along a part ofthe upper edge of the cups runs for between a quarter and a half of thelength of the upper edge. This ensures, on the one hand, that the forceintroduced via the shoulder straps is introduced over the center of thebreast in the direction of the lower edge of the cup or of thethickening, and, on the other hand, that excessive stiffness of the cup,which is something not wanted by the wearer, is avoided in the region ofthe upper edge, thereby considerably enhancing the wearing comfort ofthe women's garment according to the invention. It is particularlypreferable if the section extending along the upper edge of the cupsruns along a length of approximately one third of the upper edge. Thiscan vary, however, depending on the size of the cup.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, provision can bemade that the section of the stabilization element starting from theshoulder straps at an outer edge of the cups and extending down to thelower edge of the cups runs along approximately half the length of thelower edge. Similarly to the other section of the stabilization element,this ensures that the force is introduced as desired over the center ofthe breast in the direction of the lower edge of the cup and alsoensures that excessive stiffness of the cup is avoided in the region ofthe lower edge of the cup facing towards the middle of the garment, andoverall this results not only in the desired shaping effect but also invery good comfort for the wearer.

If, in an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the stabilizationelement has a thickness of 0.01 to 2 mm, the stiffening of the cup bythe stabilization element is obtained in the desired regions, butexcessive stiffness is avoided. In this way, the cup can adapt very wellto the breast accommodated in it, even in the regions in which thestabilization element is located.

In order to further improve the described effect of the stabilizationelement, provision can furthermore be made that the stabilizationelement has a multiplicity of openings. An excessive stiffening of thecup by the stabilization element is prevented by the openings, and thetextile feel of the stabilization element is maintained.

As regards the improvement in the introduction of the tensile force fromthe shoulder straps, it has proven advantageous if the stabilizationelement is arranged in the thickening. Simplified manufacture isachieved in this way too.

The thickening at the lower edge of the cups can be produced very easilyif the thickening formed during the thermoforming of the foam layers atthe lower edge of the cups is formed by recesses of a thermoforming toolused in the thermoforming.

A method for producing a women's garment according to the invention isset out in claim 9.

By means of this method, the women's garment according to the inventioncan be produced in a very simple and efficient way.

If the thickening at the lower edge of the cups is formed from recessesof the thermoforming tool used in the thermoforming, into which recessesthe foam layers flow, then the thickening at the lower edge of the cupscan be produced in a very simple way.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is explained below withreference to the schematic drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a women's garment according to the invention in the form ofa bra;

FIG. 2 shows a cross section along the line II-II of FIG. 1, in anenlarged view;

FIG. 3 shows the stabilization element from FIG. 2 in an enlarged view;and

FIG. 4 shows a greatly simplified detail from a thermoforming tool usedto produce the women's garment according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a women's garment 1 comprising a constructed bust part 2.In the present case, the women's garment 1 is a bra. However, the samegarment could also be formed as a bodysuit, as a negligee, or as anotherwomen's garment 1 having a constructed bust part 2. The women's garment1 can also be used in the area of swimwear, for example as a bikini topor bathing suit.

In a manner known per se, the bust part 2 has two cups 3. Furthermore,the women's garment 1 has two shoulder straps 4 attached to the cups 3,and also two back parts 5 which extend away from the cups 3 and which,in a manner known per se and not illustrated in FIG. 1, are provided inthe back region with suitable closure means so as to be able to closethe women's garment 1. In the present case, the back parts 5 do notdirectly adjoin the cups 3 and instead they adjoin a section of thewomen's garment 1 which in the present case is designated as lower part6 and which is located underneath and between the two cups 3. In thepresent case, the lower part 6 also forms a region between the two cups3, which region can also be designated as central part. In principle,however, the lower part 6 can also be omitted. Bras of this kind whichhave no such lower part 6, and in which the two cups 3 are connectedonly by a web, are likewise known per se.

Each of the cups 3 has a lower edge 7, a lateral or outer edge 8, and anupper edge 9. Of course, the illustrated shape of the cups 3 with theedges 7, 8 and 9 is to be understood only as an example, and othershapes thereof are also conceivable. Preferably, the two cups 3 areformed with mirror symmetry to each other, for which reason thedescription of one of the two cups 3 also applies to the other cup 3.

At their lower edge 7, the two cups 3 each have a thickening 10 whichruns along the breast and which, in FIG. 1, is indicated only by a linecorresponding to the lower edge 7. The thickening 10 is obtained duringthe thermoforming of at least two foam layers 11, by which the cups 3are formed in a manner known per se.

FIG. 2 is a very schematic illustration of a cross section through oneof the cups 3, from which can also be seen the two foam layers 11 intheir initial state, i.e. in the non-thermoformed state. The differentthickness of the foam layers 11, as shown in the present case, is to beunderstood purely by way of example.

It will also be seen from FIG. 2 that a stabilization element 12 isarranged between the foam layers 11, which stabilization element 12 islocated between the foam layers 11 during the thermoforming thereof andmelts during the thermoforming and therefore can no longer be seen assuch in the women's garment 1 when the latter is finished. The two foamlayers 11 connect to each other through the stabilization element 12,wherein the stabilization element 12 provides a certain barrier effectfor the foam layers 11 and therefore a stiffening thereof.

In FIG. 1, the stabilization element 12 is indicated by a cross-hatchedarea. The stabilization element 12 has a section 13 starting from theshoulder straps 4 at the outer edge 8 of the cups 3 and extending downto the lower edge 7 of the cups 3, and a section 14 starting from theshoulder straps 4 and extending along a part of the upper edge 9 of thecups 3. To simplify matters, the first section mentioned is referred tobelow as outer section 13, and the second section mentioned is referredto below as upper section 14. A part of the upper edge 9 of the cups 3and a central region of the cups 3 are free of the stabilization element12, i.e. there is no stabilization element 12 in these regions, as canbe seen very clearly in FIG. 1 from the area without cross-hatching. Thestabilization element 12 thus has a shape like an inverted ypsilon or ashape like an inverted Y, of which the straight section is generated bythe region of the stabilization element 12 attached to the shouldersupport 4, and of which the two sections 13 and 14 in principle form a Vshape and, together with the straight section, lead to the invertedypsilon-like shape.

The upper section 14 of the stabilization element 12, starting from therespective shoulder strap 4, extends over a length of between a quarterand half of the length of the upper edge 9 of the cup 3. It isparticularly preferable if the upper section 14 extends along ca. onethird of the length of the upper edge 9. In this way, two thirds of thelength of the upper edge of the cup 3 are thus free of the stabilizationelement 12. In principle, the upper section 14 can also be configured intwo or more parts, in which case the illustrated upper section 14 isadjoined by one or more similar, further upper sections of thestabilization element 12. One such upper section 14 could then have anundulating shape, for example.

The outer section 13 of the stabilization element 12, starting from therespective shoulder strap 4, extends along the outer edge 8 of the cup 3down to the lower edge 7 and there runs along approximately half thelength of the lower edge 7. The outer section 13 of the stabilizationelement 12 is therefore substantially longer than the upper section 14,which is why the shape of the stabilization element 12 is referred to asbeing “ypsilon-like”.

By means of the stabilization element 12, force is introduced along aline 15 shown by dashes in FIG. 1, which line 15 starts from a point 15a at the edge of the stabilization element 12 and extends over thecenter 15 b of the breast accommodated in the cup 3 to a point 15 c atthe lower edge 7 of the cup 3. The point 15 c at the lower edge 7 of thecup 3 is approximately the point to which the stabilization element 12extends. This introduction of force ensures that the tensile forceintroduced via the shoulder straps 4 is uniformly distributed over therespective cup 3, thereby achieving a very good balance of the cup 3.The line 15 here is of course to be understood as an example and canalso have a curved profile.

In order to ensure the balance of the above-described force introductionin the very different sizes of the women's garment 1, it is preferablethat the sections 13 and 14 of the stabilization element 12 areaccordingly adapted in the grading such that the line 15 extends fromthe point 15 a at the edge of the stabilization element 12, through thecenter 15 b of the breast to the point 15 c at the lower edge 7 of thecup 3. For this purpose, for example, the outer section 13 and/or theupper section 14 can be wider and/or longer for larger cup sizes. Thisincrease in size of the outer section 13 and/or of the upper section 14may also, if appropriate, be disproportionate to the increase in size ofthe whole cup.

FIG. 3 shows the stabilization element 12 in an enlarged view. In theillustrative embodiment shown, this stabilization element 12 isconfigured as a perforated foil and has a multiplicity of openings. Theopenings can have very different shapes and sizes. Furthermore, asymmetrical arrangement of the openings is possible, although this isnot absolutely necessary. The thickness and the density of theperforated foil are dependent on the material used for the stabilizationelement 12. For example, the thickness of the perforated foil can be0.01 to 0.05 mm.

As an alternative to the use of a perforated foil, it is also possibleto use perforated textiles or plastics, e.g. in mesh form, or adhesivewebs as stabilization element 12. Furthermore, the stabilization element12 can be formed by applying silicone to the desired region. The use ofviscous media as the stabilization element 12 is also conceivable.

The stabilization element 12 can be made of polyester for example,although other materials are also conceivable for it, for examplematerials with which a greater stiffening effect is achieved. When usingsuch a stiffer material, the thickness of the stabilization element 12could possibly be reduced. The stabilization element 12 should then bemade of a material that melts upon thermoforming of the foam layers 11,such that the presence of a foreign body between the foam layers 11 isprevented.

FIG. 4 shows a very schematic representation of a thermoforming tool 16used in the thermoforming of the foam layers 11. It can be seen that thetwo tool halves of the thermoforming tool 16 have two recesses 17 lyingopposite each other. During the thermoforming, quite a large proportionof the two foam layers 11 flows into these recesses 17, such that thethickening 10 is formed in this region.

In the present case, the stabilization element 12 is also located in theregion of the cup 3 forming the lower edge 7 and therefore thethickening 10. Furthermore, in the illustrative embodiment shown, thestabilization element 12 is also provided in the lower part 6, whichsimplifies the manufacture of the women's garment 1. If appropriate,however, the stabilization element 12 could also be omitted in the lowerpart 6.

In a method for producing the women's garment 1, the two cups 3 are thusproduced by thermoforming from the at least two foam layers 11. Duringthe thermoforming, the thickening 10 is formed at the lower edge 7 ofthe two cups 3. In particular, the thickening 10 is formed by therecesses 17 of the thermoforming tool 16, into which recesses 17 thefoam layers 11 flow. Furthermore, the stabilization element 12 isarranged between the foam layers 11 in the thermoforming, as has beendescribed in detail above.

In a manner not illustrated, it would also be possible to provide morethan two foam layers 11 and, if appropriate, also more than the onestabilization element 12. In principle, it would also be possible forthe two sections 13 and 14 to be arranged in different layers of thestabilization element 12.

1. A women's garment comprising a constructed bust part, which has twocups, and comprising two shoulder straps attached to the cups, the cupsbeing formed from at least two foam layers connected to each other bythermoforming, characterized in that the two cups have a thickening attheir lower edge, which thickening is formed during the thermoforming ofthe foam layers and runs along the breast, and in that a stabilizationelement is arranged between the foam layers, which stabilization elementhas a section starting from the shoulder straps at an outer edge of thecups and extending down to the lower edge of the cups, and a sectionstarting from the shoulder straps and extending along a part of an upperedge of the cups, wherein a part of the upper edge of the cups and acentral region of the cups is free of the stabilization element.
 2. Thewomen's garment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that thestabilization element has a shape like an inverted ypsilon.
 3. Thewomen's garment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sectionof the stabilization element starting from the shoulder straps andextending along a part of the upper edge of the cups runs between aquarter and a half of the length of the upper edge.
 4. The women'sgarment as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the section of thestabilization element starting from the shoulder straps at an outer edgeof the cups and extending down to the lower edge of the cups runs alongapproximately half the length of the lower edge.
 5. The women's garmentas claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the stabilization elementhas a thickness of 0.01 to 2 mm.
 6. The women's garment as claimed inclaim 1, characterized in that the stabilization element has amultiplicity of openings.
 7. The women's garment as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the stabilization element is arranged in thethickening.
 8. The women's garment as claimed in claim 1, characterizedin that the thickening formed at the lower edge of the cups during thethermoforming of the foam layers is formed by recesses of athermoforming tool used in the thermoforming.
 9. A method for producinga women's garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein two cups are formed bythermoforming from at least two foam layers, wherein a thickeningrunning along the breast is formed at a lower edge of the two cupsduring the thermoforming, and wherein a stabilization element isarranged between the foam layers during the thermoforming, whichstabilization element has a section starting from the shoulder straps atan outer edge of the cups and extending down to the lower edge of thecups, and a section starting from the shoulder straps and extendingalong a part of an upper edge of the cups, wherein a part of the upperedge of the cups and a central region of the cups are free of thestabilization element.
 10. The method as claimed in claim 9,characterized in that the thickening at the lower edge of the cups isformed by recesses of the thermoforming tool used in the thermoforming,into which recesses the foam layers flow.